A sketch of what the "South Bend" portion of the Codorus Creek could look like after its massive makeover. The public got to see the revitalization for the first time at an open house on January 29, 2019.(Photo: John Buffone/ YDR)

If the Codorus beautification project turns out like the artist renderings, it will be worth every penny. The plans created by York-based Buchart Horn are truly spectacular.

It would create a linear park through the city, turning the ugly, weed-strewn banks into a waterfront that would impress and attract visitors, provide recreational opportunities and boost York’s economy – because it would surely lead to private investment beyond the downtown core.

We’re talking waterfalls, hiking paths on both sides of the creek, more sloping banks that could accommodate such amenities as splash pads, public sculptures, murals, shade structures, wildflower fields and on and on.

The creek itself would be narrowed and deepened so the water would flow rather than just sit there like a brown, slackwater pond. That will improve not only the perception of the creek, but it could also provide better water quality – and the creek would be deeper, allowing for kayaking. Rock features in the creek would make for idyllic fishing spots.

Such a project would be many years in the making, but we have a chance here to have a creekfront that would enhance rather than detract from our city. It’s hard to overstate the importance of such an effort.

Here’s the thing, though: It’s a lot of money. How will we pay for it all?

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Kevin Schreiber & Silas Chamberlin of the York County Economic Alliance, and Danielle Stehman of Buchart Horn, talk about upgrading the Codorus Creek.
York Daily Record

YCEA CEO Kevin Schreiber last week told YDR’s editorial board that funding would come from a hodgepodge of sources, including grants from foundations and such, but the lion’s share would be state grant money.

In that sense, we have a golden opportunity right now – one that comes around maybe once a century.

We have a York County leader in the governor’s office who has been devoted to improving York. We also have a deep bench of influential state lawmakers in our county.

Plus, we have an Army Corps of Engineers that Schreiber said is open to working on a project that goes beyond its basic mandate of flood control.

Now is the time to lock down as much of that $62 million as possible.

Schreiber says Gov. Wolf is supportive of the creek front project. But he’ll be gone in a little less than four years. It’s impossible to predict who might succeed him. We could have a governor who has little support for state grants aimed at creek revitalization.

Granted, this is not exactly an outlandish or unusual way to spend state money. Many other Pennsylvania communities have used such funding for waterfront revitalization efforts. And such projects foster economic growth, which is a goal of Republicans and Democrats alike.

But, some more perspective: We’ve been talking about improving the Codorus Creek front for more than 100 years – when the creek was literally an open sewer for industry. Plans and proposals have come and gone, but we still have those ugly creek banks marring our county seat.

This is the time.

This is the opportunity.

We’re counting on Gov. Wolf to step up and assure funding for this excellent project. It should be part of his legacy – and gift to future generations of Yorkers.

P.S. While we’re talking about water features: How about one on Continental Square? Many have suggested that a fountain on the square would be a wonderful addition to the literal heart of York and York County. The YCEA and Downtown Inc have worked on plans to improve the square – and the recent lighting of the Rupp building was a nice addition. But there’s so much more we can do bring the square to life.

A sketch of what the "canyons" portion of the Codorus Creek could look like after its massive makeover. The public got to see the revitalization plans for the first time at an open house on January 29, 2019. John Buffone/ YDR

A sketch of what Lafayette Plaza would look like after the Codorus Creek makeover. The public got to see the revitalization plans for the first time at an open house on January 29, 2019. John Buffone/ YDR

A sketch of what the rail bridge portion of the Codorus Creek could look like after its massive makeover. The public got to see the revitalization for the first time at an open house on January 29, 2019. John Buffone/ YDR

A sketch of what the "South Bend" portion of the Codorus Creek could look like after its massive makeover. The public got to see the revitalization for the first time at an open house on January 29, 2019. John Buffone/ YDR

A sketch of what the York College portion of the Codorus Creek could look like after its massive makeover. The public got to see the revitalization for the first time at an open house on January 29, 2019. John Buffone/ YDR